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Although it was a beautiful day, there was a great calmness before the storm on the Lingding Ocean at this time. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

On July 27, 1854, when seven warships of the U.S. East India Fleet sailed out of Victoria Bay in Hong Kong, heading towards the mouth of the Pearl River and toward the Lingding Ocean, it seemed to people that the storm was bound to befall this land, or at least this sea.

Among the seven black US warships, the most massive is the fleet flagship "USS Mississippi Cruiser", this 3,200-ton warship is a paddlewheel fast cruiser, with ten powerful 10-inch and 8-inch paixhans guns, like the sailors on any other US warship, at this time, the sailors on the "USS Mississippi cruiser" all look confident.

A few months ago, they had just "knocked" on Japan's door, and the current mission was just an ordinary voyage for them.

"The warships of the Chinese rebel fleet, although they are also European-style warships, do not make much difference except that their tonnage is smaller than ours. But in fact, their warships are all converted from fast-steam merchant ships, although compared to the old Chinese warships have improved a lot, but because they are still merchant ships in nature, their boards and keels are relatively weak......"

In the captain's cabin of the cruiser USS Mississippi, Oliver explained to Perry the intelligence of the Chinese fleet, which had been provided to them by the British Far East Fleet.

"It's fair to say that if they dare to stop us, it will only take ten minutes for us to blow up all their warships to pieces."

The end of the Battle of Sinop in the Black Sea last year made Oliver extremely confident - because the seven warships of the fleet were equipped with extremely powerful 10-inch and eight-inch paixhans guns, and the heavy explosive shells of more than 8 inches could not only cause greater wounds to enemy warships, but also the high-temperature gas and debris formed by the strong explosion were enough to destroy the Chinese merchant ships!

"Oliver, you must understand that war is only the last option!"

Compared to Oliver's desire, Perry is relatively cautious.

"We are here to show our strength to the Chinese, not to provoke a war with the Chinese, after all, our merchants still need to trade in China, and the United States needs Chinese raw silk and tea."

As a military man, Perry's first concern remained the commercial interests of the United States, which was her duty as commander of the East India Fleet.

"Of course, Your Excellency, I believe that when our warships appear at the mouth of the Pearl River, those Chinese will definitely make a rational choice like the Japanese."

What is a rational choice?

Perry led his warships out of Hong Kong for the mouth of the Pearl River, in addition to forcing the Chinese to release the arrested crew of the merchant ship Mack, but he also hoped to sign a new treaty with the rebel government that would be more favorable to American businessmen.

"I hope so!"

While nodding, Perry commanded to his chief of staff.

"Tomorrow the fleet will be vigilant, there are a lot of Chinese spies in Hong Kong, and now they should already know that we are sailing to the mouth of the Pearl River! Maybe their fleet is waiting for us here, who knows? ”

Just as Perry guessed, in the area of Lingding Island, six warships of varying tonnage fluttered red flags, two hours ago, this volunteer fleet sailing from the Yangtze River, had already left the anchorage, they looked a little similar to the American warship, the hull was also painted black.

The most massive of these was the "Hanfeng" with no sails, only a lone chimney and watchtower, although to some extent the ironclad was a failure, and it was neither able to sail long distances nor suitable for offshore combat. But the three-inch thick iron armor on the side of the ship really made him a formidable presence in this fleet.

On the deck of the "Hanfeng", the gunners are operating the guns for final training. Because the guns were relatively light, the "Hanfeng" was equipped with as many as 36 105 mm naval guns, and when the gunners on the "Hanfeng" were training, the fleet commander Shen Ming on the fleet flagship "Chuyu" looked at the ironclad ship with his eyes.

In order to bring the "Hanfeng" to Canton smoothly, the fleet can be said to have taken a lot of pains, first of all, all his naval guns were dismantled, in order to save weight for the installation of temporary masts, in addition, to minimize the coal it carried, so that it could sail, and along the way the other five warships of the fleet, made his coal carrier, to provide coal to it, escorted all the way to Canton.

"Let's hope she can use her full strength......"

Because he clearly knew the difference in strength between his fleet and the US East India Fleet, Shen Ming now put all his hopes on this ironclad ship. And, of course, the Han-style naval guns used by the fleet, as well as new shells.

"Shen, I don't think it's a good idea to intercept the American fleet!"

Again, the fleet advisor Falkland reminded the admiral next to him that because of Clown's connections in the naval training center in Wuchang, he was now the fleet's adviser and was responsible for assisting Shen Ming in the war.

"That's likely to intensify, and I think it's hard to fight against the more powerful U.S. East India Fleet with the strength of the fleet."

As a naval officer, or at least a former naval officer, Falkland was well aware of the disparity in power between the Rebel fleet and the American fleet.

"Maybe the fleet is invincible in the Yangtze River, but, Lord Admiral, on the sea, in the Far East, your strength is still extremely weak."

It's not even worth mentioning!

Falkland didn't say that, of course, but his duty required him to persuade the Admiral in front of him to make a rational choice.

"Captain, look......"

Shen Yang raised his hand and pointed to the sea in the distance and said.

"There's really no difference between here and the mouth of the Thames? It's just that one is Chinese and the other is British, and you tell me, as a British naval officer, will you accept the warships of foreign navies to show off their might at the mouth of the Thames? ”

Shen Ming's tone was extremely resolute, he was born as a sailor, he had been on the sea for many years, and his character had already been sharpened by the waves.

"In the Naval Academy, we used to tell all the cadets that the spirit of the Navy is the spirit of 'Nelson,' and its essence can be summed up in four words -- to fight when you see the enemy. And Han Du directly told us that every navy soldier must be not afraid of strong enemies, not afraid of sacrifice, the courage to challenge strong opponents on the sea, even if they know that they are invincible, they must resolutely attack, fight to the end, and destroy the enemy's body and will with sacrifice and blood. ”

Shen Ming's voice was a little muffled, and finally his eyes stared at the calm sea.

"If it's going to be that we choose to back down, then ...... We, what we have lost most likely is the ...... of the Chinese Navy Soul! ”

Yes!

The most important thing for a nascent navy is his soul, his spirit. He can lose everything, but he can't lose his spirit, he can't lose his soul. Because there was nothing else to him.

"He's doing what is likely to lead to ......"

"Maybe I'll lose this fleet, but ...... Captain, tomorrow you will see a real Chinese navy! ”

Because his soul is still there!

Because he didn't lose his soul!

"Panic beachhead said panic, zero Ding Yang sighed zero Ding."

Standing in the stern of the "Xiangyu", Li Tianfang stared at the sea, and at this time the "Xiangyu" was patrolling the Lingding Ocean with half sails open, and in the distance he could see that an opium ship was being towed away from the Lingding Ocean by the steamer, and the interception of the "Mack" was like a warning, so that some foreign companies cautiously towed the opium ship back to Hong Kong in order to wait for the development of the situation.

"Where the hell are you?"

Once again, Li Tianfang picked up the telescope and searched the sea. He was concerned about the US fleet sailing from Hong Kong, and although the "Xiangyu" was only about 600 tons, this did not prevent him from waiting for the arrival of the US fleet with great anticipation.

Fight when you see the enemy, and never back down.

Well!

Let's see who softens first!

"U.S. warship!"

Suddenly, at this moment, the shout of the lookout came from the top of the mast, and looking in the direction of the lookout's finger, seven black warships could be clearly seen from the telescope, spitting smoke towards the mouth of the Pearl River.

That's right, it's an American warship!

Although the magnification of the telescope is not large, Li Tianfang still recognized that the first road was the flagship of the US East India Fleet, the "USS Mississippi" paddle cruiser, and the exposed paddle wheel was its biggest feature, and in contrast, the fleet was more inclined to use propeller warships rather than paddle cruisers, although in comparison, the efficiency of propeller was lower.

"Catch up!"

Li Tianfang immediately ordered the first mate.

"But don't be too fast, let them enter our territorial waters first."

Just like the training in the past, under the command of Li Tianfang, the small "Xiangyu" must not have been too fast to meet the US fleet heading towards the mouth of the Pearl River. Compared to this American fleet, the "Xiangyu" is hardly worth mentioning, but now he is the guardian of this sea area.

"Alright...... Okay, yes, that's it......"

Observing the course of the American fleet from the telescope, Li Tianfang's lips squeezed out a sneer, and now the American fleet had broken into China's territorial waters -- and this was exactly what he needed.

"Flag warning to the American fleet!"

When he put down the binoculars, Li Tian commanded in a loud voice.

"Tell them that they have entered China's territorial waters and tell them to withdraw immediately."

At the same time as releasing his life, Li Tianfang excitedly shouted at the sailors on the ship.

"Brothers, copy fellows...... Gan Ta Niang's ......" (To be continued.) )